Energy & Natural Resources

Fiscal issues related to the environment, agriculture and land management, state parks and natural resources. As promoting economic growth is a top priority for every state following the end of the recession, states will have to balance such growth while managing state natural resources in an efficient manner.

NASBO Publications

The latest edition of NASBO’s State Expenditure Report finds that total state spending in fiscal 2014 is estimated to have grown at its fastest pace since before the recession, largely due to an increase in federal Medicaid funds as a majority of states chose to expand enrollment under the Affordable Care Act. Total state spending growth in fiscal 2013 was more modest; however, total state expenditure did return to positive growth following declines in fiscal 2012.

State budgets are expected to continue their trend of moderate growth in fiscal 2015 according to governors’ spending proposals. Consistent year-over-year growth has helped states achieve relative budget stability, but progress remains slow for many states. With each passing year of slow improvement, more and more states are moving beyond recession induced declines and returning to spending and revenue growth. According to executive budgets, general fund spending is projected to increase by 2.9 percent in fiscal 2015.